Perforating apparatus



Dec. 16, 1952 J. G. ESSlNA 2,621,738

PERFORATING APPARATUS F led May 25, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Dec. 16, 1952 u. G. PEsslNA 2,621,738

' PERFRATING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1949 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Dec. 16, 1952 PERFORATING APPARATUS Joseph G. Pessina, St'. Louis, Mo., assigner to Emro Manufacturing Company, Incorporated,

St. Louis, Mo.

Application May 25, 1949, Serial No. 95,280

6 claims.

This invention relates generally to perforating apparatus adapted to simultaneously provide a pair of apertures in material subjected to the action thereof, said apertures being oppositely disposed, and each equidistant from a selected point designated by an indicating mark, or the like, visually appearing on the material aforesaid.

More particularly, the invention pertains to apparatus adapted to accurately provide a pair of apertures at predetermined points in the periphery of an endless band of material.

More speciiically, the instant apparatus is directed to perforating the head band of a uniform cap in the course of the manufacture thereof.v

The type of uniform cap herein contemplated, includes a head band, a vizor, a crown portion, and a strap, either ornamental or otherwise, normally extending around a portion of the periphery of said band at the front, and slightly above the upper margin ofthe vizor.

Straps or braids of this nature are well known, they appear, for example, on dress 'caps for army personnel, students of military academies, theater and hotel doormen, and so on. In military parlance they are termed chin straps.

Generally, these straps are permanently, or removably, secured at each end thereof to the head band adjacent the end of the vizor by means of a screw or other fastener element.

However, the present invention is not concerned with the fastening elements, but is primarily directed only to that step in the cap manufacturing process which comprises the formation of apertures in the head band to receive them.

In the manufacture of uniform caps, the head band is initially separately formed to provide an annulus including for example an inner sweat band, an outer cloth band and a central flexible but semi-rigid band, said bands being secured together along their top and bottom edges in any suitable manner. f

Heretofore, as far as I am aware, the only method employed to obtain the pair of perforations referred to, has been to provide a notch or other indicating mark on the band, manually measure the required distance in either direction from said mark, and thereafter subject the band to the action of a punch press, first on one side, then on the other. f

Besides being a laborious and slow process, inaccuracies have been almost unavoidable. It is understood of. course, that all the straps'for a quantity of caps to be produced, are of identical length, so that it is obviously of prime importance to have the spacing of the perforations commensurate with the length of the bands.

Further, since in some styles of uniform caps it may be desirable to provide said perforations near lthe bottom edge of the head band, in others at the center or slightly above the center thereof, it should be evident that additional measurements are required, and that invariably the resulting horizontal plane of the perforation on one side of the band is higher or lower than that on the opposite side, that is, when the measurements are manually made, as heretofore.

The principal object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a device which is adapted to overcome all of the disadvantages set forth above; which is simple in operation and requires little skill on the part of an operator; and which may attain its objectives by either manually operable or mechanically operable means.

In a general summary of the invention, the device may be said to include a pair of spaced substantially rectangular blocks mounted on a stationary support; a semi-circular head band supporting member removably secured to said blocks; a pointer, and, a plurality of auxiliary guage members adjustably mounted on said supporting member; a slot in each said block for the reception of a portion of the head band; a primary guage assembly -adjustably mounted on each block for positioning saidband inthe slot; a pair of oppositely disposed perforating assemblies adapted to perforate the head band at two points simultaneously; and cam and lever means for motivating the perforating assemblies at the will of the operator. Y

In the detailed description to follow, certain advantages not hereinbefore specifically set forth will become apparent, reference being had also to the drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of an apparatus incorporating the present invention, mounted on a portion of a table, bench, or the like;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a right side elevational View thereof, the supporting table being shown partly in section;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 4 4 in Fig. l, the parts being shown in their inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a 4similar fragmentary View, the parts being shown in their operative position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 6 6 in Fig. 4

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views taken respectively on lines 1 1 and 8-8 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a tapered cam member;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a head band as it appears prior to being subjected to the action of the present apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a similar view thereof as it appears after being subjected to the action of the apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a typical cap in the manufacture of which the novel apparatus of the present invention may be employed.

With particular reference now to Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, the apparatus comprising the invention is generally indicated by numeral I5, and a support whereon it is mounted, by numeral I6. The latter may be any suitable base member, bench or the like, a table top I8 supported on legs such as indicated at 20, being shown.

The apparatus I includes a pair of spaced, substantially rectangular blocks 22 each provided with an integral, rearwardly extending flange or base portion 24 rigidly secured to said support I6 as by tap bolts 26, or otherwise. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the forward portion of each block 22 projects beyond the forward face of said support.

Said device also includes a head band supporting member of arcuate form designated 28, a pointer assembly generally indicated 30, a plurality of auxiliary guage members each designated 32, a pair of similar primary guage assemblies each generally indicated 34, a pair of oppositely positioned perforating assemblies each generally designated 36, a cam and lever assembly 38 for motivating the perforating assemblies, and other elements associated with the operation thereof as will appear.

vEach of the blocks 22 has formed therein a longitudinal slot 40 extending from the front face thereof rearwardly a distance adapted to accommodate any and all standard head band widths of uniform caps, the rearward vertical faces of said slots being designated 42 in Figs. 1 and 3.

As shown in the drawings, the slots 40 are generally angularly formed relative to the vertical longitudinal centerline of each block 22, and their forward, or head band receiving faces are beveled as at 44 to facilitate entry of said band.

Adjustably disposed for forward or rearward positioning in each slot 48, is the depending finger 46 of an angular member 48 included in a primary guage assembly 34. Said member also includes an integral horizontal portion 50, which, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with an elongated slot 52 through which passes the threaded shank portion of a manually rotatable screw 54, whereby the member 48 may be positioned at a selected distance from the vertical face 42, as is manifest.

In order to add rigidity to the depending free finger or stop member 46, a horizontally disposed abutment screw 56 extends through the rear portion of block 22 and into slot 40 to engage against the rear face of said finger. A lock nut 58 is provided.

Each block 22 has also formed therein a pair of transverse bores 60 and 62 which are in alinement, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Into the bore 60 extends the reduced hollow stem portion 64 of an open-ended cylinder 66 included in the assembly 36. Said cylinder has an integral flange portion 68 whereby it is secured to block 22 as by tap bolts 10. Y

Presstted into bore 62 is a female die member 12 which seats against a shoulder 'I4 formed by `4 the reduced outer end portion 'I6 of said bore, as illustrated. Preferably the inner face of said die is of convex contour as indicated at As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, the inner end portion of each cylinder 66 is provided with alined vertical slots '|8 to accommodate the central body portion of a lever 82 included in the assembly 30. Each lever 82 is pivotally mounted at one end as at 84, in the bifurcated end of a horizontal supporting member 86 rigidly secured to block 22 as by tap bolts 88, or otherwise.

Reciprocable within each cylinder 66 is a piston 90 which includes a reduced, laterally projecting stem portion 92, which will hereinafter be termed a perforating pin. Normally. that is in the inoperative position of the device portrayed particularly in Fig. 4, the rounded extremity 93 of each pin S2 lies slightly inwardly from the inner wall of slot 40, being so maintained by a compression spring 94 about a portion of said pin and interposed between wall 06 of said cylinder, and said piston. Each pin S2 is slidably supported in hollow stem portion or guide 64, and the external diameter thereof is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the bore 81 of the dies.

The inner end portion of each piston 90 is also vertically slotted or bifurcated as at 98, to accommodate portion 88 of adjacent lever 82. Said portion 80 of each lever has formed therein an elongated slot |00, and passing through this slot, and extending into alined apertures |02 in said piston, is a horizontally disposed pin I 04, as particularly shown in Fig. 6.

Depending from the body portion 80 of each lever 82, and integral therewith, is an arm |06, the lower extremities of these arms being connected by means of a tension spring |08. The spring |08, though not absolutely essential, has been found to have a stabilizing eiect during operation, and in addition, to aid the springs 84 in withdrawing the perforating pins from the dies, as will appear.

Each of the levers 82 includes an angular cam edge ||0 terminating in a rounded portion ||2 which merges into the edge portion of arm |06. Normally, under the combined influence of springs 94 and |08, the rounded edges II2 rest against the lower extremities of inclined cam faces ||4 formed in a cam member ||6, shown per se in Fig. 9.

As there seen, and with reference also to Fig. 4, the cam faces I I4 are so formed as to also provide vertical guideways I|8 for the levers 82. That is to say, the width of said guideways is such as to slidably receive the cam edges I|0 of said levers, so that when the cam element H6 is reciprocated, positive and smooth operation will ensue.

The upper end of cam member I I6 is preferably bifurcated, and has a pivotal connection |20 with the forward free end of a link |22 the rear end of which is pivotally supported as at |24 between a pair of brackets |26, bolted as shown, or otherwise secured to the supporting base I6.

Intermediate the ends of the link |22, there is pivotally connected, as at |28, a clevs |30 rigid with an upwardly projecting shaft |32, whereby the cam I6 may be vertically reciprocate@ a predetermined distance in either direction.

It is again here noted, that the link |22, and with it the cam IIB, may be reciprocated either manually or mechanically, so that the particular arrangement illustrated is to be considered exemplary only.

In other words, the shaft |32 may be the lower end-.otarstonfroddenendinsgfremien ai. .erlitt-s mansof afoot-treadlefarransement,er.bi1-mees:

anismgsimilar. to.` that: employed inthe. Opere.tion` as fisuridersteod ingf .si isrigidlyl Secured' ter-.the -pizcieetinsf portie,.-.

porti through whiehpass.; the; ,Shanks of set screws.- l 45 into -engagement With;- threaded: :apertures PFO- vided .in.1the.arcuate..bodyy |34: The Yupward extensionl |42 is vertically slotted,` as atJ |48, for the -receptionof therear end lilota pointer .0r indicator |52. .pivotallymounted. .0n a. pin; I 54: as showni.

Normally, the pointer. |52; occulesthehorizontaL position shown, with-the hat lower edge I Safor its.; rear end portion I 5D resting. upenthe bottom surfacei |58 .oi-slot. |48'. Preferably, Athe undersideA |601 ofithepointer is beveled upwardly fromv the-rear. to. the frontend thereof.

As previously stated,l apluralityof auxiliary when they -are positioned in proper vertical registry rela-tiveY to one anpther,v they may be so maintained .indenitely by the means. shownI and described.

It she .,d. also. be.. evident. thatthe apparatus may be. adjusted .te perieratehead .bands O ffvari-H ous`r widths; and tol form perforations therein at selected points relativev to the rim` portions. thereof.

Operation It will be) assumed that' the manufacture of a y quantity of uniform caps, such as thatillustrated in Fig. 12; is contemplated, It will be further assumed; that the strap A has an overall length of eleven andone-half'inches, so that the apertures. for each fastening, elementsussested at B should be. spaeedapart-exeetir. eleven. inches. It. will. also be assumed.Y that .thebandq regardlessVv of head size, is `twoandL onefeighth incheswide. and that. according tov specifications, the aser.- tures are to. berv located. exactly Y oneand one-half.

inchesfrem; 011e. rim of. wideband. with each ofv them. reand. one-half. inehesirem an. indicated.- maeig, Wiegen in. another operationen@ Afel-.19Wed,haar f up Stroke, eonstitlte'sf Againssaidishait may-befreeiproeated by.

6 a .guidera theettaehmeritef eeinsieniaheldet ortlielilre,l Inother words, the pointer assembly 30 is employedonly in thatv type of capwherein it is not only requisite that they apertures herein referred.

beginning perforating operations,

First, the primary guage assemblies `3d are so.

positioned that the front faces of the depending ngnersrdi .are spaced one and -one half inches fiomthe transverse vertical centerline of the perfora-tingassemblies 36.

Thereupona head band C may beiinserted into the` slots 40, as suggested by broken. lines in Fig. 2, whereuponthe auxiliary guage members 3 2 may be adjusted and locked in position.

l Finally, the pointer assembly 30 will 'be adjusted taining betweenvthe axial cen-ter lines of the twov die. members 72 along the inner periphery of member 23 is eleven inches in the apparatus i1- lustrated, this being the generally standard distance required. Should it be desirable` tol increasevthis distance, shims may be interposed between the botto-rn facesy of blocks 22 and the anges.. 3 6.

To perforate a head band, the operator inserts it into the slots 4|! manually, sliding the lower inf tegral segment thereof along the member 28 until theleading rim of the band simultaneously abuts thengers 46 and the re'bent portions |64 of the guage assemblies 32.

The beveled underside |60 of the pointer |52, and its pivotal mounting which permits it to swing upwardly, facilitate entry of the band with thel indicating mark D in registry with the forward extremity of said pointer. 'I'he beveled faces 44 facilitate entry of the 'band into the slots 6G. Thus band C is now supported in position lloy theA apparatus, as shown in broken. li-nes in Thereupon, the operator, either by manualor meclfianicalV means as described, effects a down stroke. of the. cam memberv |6,'followed`immedi ately by an up stroke thereof to. complete a cycle.

On the down stroke, the Vcam faces I4 ridey along the edges ||0 ofthe levers 82 to forcel the pair of `pistons Sii outwardly against the influence of springs S4 and |08.

This action causes each of the pins 92 to punch out a small circular segment of the laminated materials. of which the band is formed. The final stage of this action is portrayed in Fig. 5, wherein the head band C is shown, in the interest of clarity only, asthough formed of a single piece of material, and wherein the punched out segments ar designated E- As thecam member lit now returns to its upper position, the combined action. of springs 94 and |08 withdraws the pins 92'from the female dies 12 Atheseparatedsegments E-,howeven remaining therewthiI-ii.

The now perforated band C is quickly removed, and another inserted, to repeat the operation. Succeeding segments E propel the preceding segments outwardly in the hollow die members 'I2 until, as suggested by broken lines in Fig. at the right, they are discharged via openings 16.

From the foregoing description and the drawings, it should be apparent that the instant invention provides a novel apparatus whereby great quantities of laminated head bands or similar articles may be posi-tively and accurately apertured with dispatch.

The appearance of the band C, after having been subjected to the action of the device, may be seen in Fig. l1, where the perforations which were formed therein are each designated P.

It is manifest that although the instant apparatus has been designed primarily to perforate head bands for uniform caps, sun helmets, and the like, it may also lbe employed to perforate bands of relatively thin metal, plastic, and so on.

The embodiment illustrated also obviously admits of modifications without departure from the broad concepts of the invention, the scope of which is to be limited only 'by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus for punching holes in the head band of a uniform cap at two points circumferentially spaced a selected distance from one another, with each point also spaced a selected distance from one rim of the band, said apparatus including: a supporting base; a pair of horizontally spaced substantially rectangular block members mounted on the base, the forward portion of each block projecting beyond the forward face of said base; an arcuate member removably secured at its ends to the underside of the projecting portions of said blocks for supporting said band along the lower arcuate segment thereof a longitudinal slot in each of said blocks for the reception of a segment of the band adjoining said lower arcuate segment; a primary guage assembly associated with each block for engaging against a rim portion of those segments of said band which are disposed in the longitudinal slots aforesaid; a plurality of auxiliary guage members associated with said arcuate member for engaging against a rim portion of that segment of the band which is supported on the arcuate member; a pair of oppositely disposed perforating assemblies each supported by one of said blocks and including a reciprocal piston having a laterally projecting pin integral therewith for simultaneously perforating the two segments of the band which are disposed in said longitudinal slots; a pair of levers each pivotally mounted at one end to a support rigid with one of said blocks and having an elongated slot on pin connection with the piston of one of the perforating assemblies; and a vertically reciprocable cam member to simultaneously swing said levers in opposite directions about their pivotal mountings.

2. Apparatus for punching holes in the head band of a uniform cap at two points circumferentially spaced a selected distance from one another, with each point also spaced a selected distance from one rim of the band, said apparatus including: a supporting base; a pair of horizontally spaced substantially rectangular block members mounted on the base, the forward portion of each block projecting beyond the forward face of said base; an arcuate member removably secured at its ends to the underside of the projecting portions of said blocks for supporting said band along the lower arcuate segment thereof; a longitudinal slot in each of said blocks for the reception of a segment of the band adjoining said lower arcuate segment; a primary guage assembly associated with each block for engaging against a rim portion of those segments of said band which are disposed in the longitudinal slots aforesaid; a plurality of auxiliary guage members associated with said arcuate member for engaging against a rim portion of that segment of the band which is supported on 'the arcuate member; a pair of oppositely disposed perforating assemblies each supported by one of said blocks and including a reciprocal piston having a laterally projecting pin integral therewith for simultaneously perforating the two segments of the band which are disposed in said longitudinal slots; a pair of levers each pivotally mounted at one end to a support rigid with one of said blocks and having an elongated slot and pin connection with the piston of one of the perforating assemblies; a vertically reciprocable cam member to simultaneously swing said levers in opposite directions about their pivotal mountings for actuating each piston in one direction on the downstroke of the cam; and a tension spring connecting the free extremities of said levers for actuating each piston in the opposite direction on the upstroke of said cam.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein the longitudinal slot in each block is angularly formed relative to the vertical longitudinal centerline of the block; and wherein the forward edges of said slots are bevelled to facilitate entry of said band segments thereinto.

tl. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the primary guage assembly associated with each block comprises: an angular member including a horizontal portion and a depending finger portion integral therewith, said horizontal portion resting on the top surface of the block, said nger portion extending into the longitudinal slot in said block; an elongated slot formed in said horizontal portion; a screw passing through said slot and into engagement with a threaded aperture in the block for securing said angular member in selected position relative to the front face of the block; a horizontally disposed abutment screw extending through the rear portion of the block for engaging against the depending nger aforesaid; and a nut for locking said screw in position.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein each of the auxiliary guage members associated with the arcuate band supporting member includes: a fiat base portion and a free reversely bent forwardly projecting portion integral therewith, said base portion lying along the underside of, and said free portion occupying a plane parallel with Ibut above said band supporting member; an upwardly inclined lip formed on the extremity of the free portion of said element; at least one elongated slot formed in the base portion; and a screw passing through said slot into engagement with a threaded aperture in said band supporting member for locking the gauge in a selected position.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said perforating assemblies includes: an open-ended cylinder having a reduced stem portion extending into a first horizontal bore provided in the block which supports said assembly; a female die having a convex face portion and seated in a second horizontal bore provided in said blocks, both said bores being in alignment and opening atl-one end into said longitudinal slot of the block; a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and away from said die member; a pin having a rounded extremity projecting laterally from the piston and reciprocal therewith to perforate the band disposed in said slot as the pin passes through said band and strikes the convex face of thefemale die aforesaid; a, compression spring interposed about a portion o1' said pin between the piston and a wall of the cylinder for normally maintaining said pin withdrawn from said die; and a vertical slot in said piston aligned with a pair of similar slots in said cylinder for accommodating that portion of the lever aforesaid which has a loose connection with said piston.

JOSEPH G. PESSINA.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 750,746 Woodburn Jan. 26, 1904 877,855 Murray Jan. 28, 1908 1,503,551 Nice Aug. 5, 1924 1,595,678 Murphy Aug. 10, 1926 1,610,982 Theberath Dec. 14, 1926 2,201,135 Evans May 21, 1940 2,459,101 Uhrmacher Jan. 11, 1949 

